An acclaimed documentary on the Estonian ritual of smoke sauna, a place to hold candid and cathartic conversations, will screen at Oban’s Phoenix Cinema from October 13.
Artist and filmmaker Anna Hints’ debut feature, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, is “a remarkably intimate look at women’s sauna culture in Estonia, a place to be unashamedly tactile and hold candid and cathartic conversations about body image, family and social expectations, sexuality, health and more.
“The wood-fired smoke sauna tradition of the Vana-Võromaa in Southeast Estonia is part of the UNESCO List of The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The ritual is a way of life to the men, women and children of the region, connecting family and friends to cleanse body and soul inside a place of peace and contemplation.”
Talking about the Sundance award-winning documentary, Anna said: “My roots are in South-East Estonia, in the specific culture of Võromaa and Setomaa where the tradition of smoke sauna is still very much alive.
“The smoke sauna is a place where women used to give birth, wash the dead and heal. In the protective darkness of the smoke sauna everything can come out. No experience is too harsh or too embarrassing, every voice has the right to express themselves.
“My own deep experience with smoke comes from the time I was 11. My grandfather had died, his body was in the farmhouse and I along with my granny, aunt and niece went to the smoke sauna a day before the funeral. It was there that my grandmother shared with us for the first and the last time the truth that my grandfather had cheated on her.
“Granny let the hurt and anger out, made peace with grandfather and the next day she could bury him in peace. It was then when I realised that a smoke sauna is not just for cleaning the body, but also the soul. I wanted to give this experience and encouragement to the audience with Smoke Sauna Sisterhood.
“I hope the time in a dark cinema gives the audience an experience as if they are also part of the Smoke Sauna Sisterhood and experience this kind of safe space to be vulnerable. This need to really connect with each other goes beyond genders and cultures.”